Duncan Craig

CEO & Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist

Duncan spent the first 10 years of his working life in the theatre, arts and entertainment. From tourist attractions to major UK theatre, museums to local arts organisations, Duncan spent the latter 5 years as Director of PR and Marketing touring the UK with some of the best shows to come out of the West End and Broadway.

In 2005, Duncan began his training to become a qualified counsellor and decided to have a complete career change after volunteering in a busy City Centre needle exchange. He spent the next few years working within a voluntary sector drug service both in harm reduction and treatment services, specialising in working with male and female sex workers, people affected by HIV and Hepatitis C, and in sexual health.

Duncan qualified from the University of Manchester as an Integrative Counsellor in 2008, having completed his clinical practice in both a voluntary and NHS setting. Always looking for ways to develop his professional practice, Duncan has completed a MA in Counselling, graduating 2010 with Distinction, and plans on developing his work further to undertake his PhD.

It was during his initial training as a therapist that Duncan began to uncover, raise his awareness and finally disclose the sexual abuse and rape he experienced in his childhood and teens. Unable to find the support he needed was the catalyst to designing a service for males in Greater Manchester

What would you like to see Survivors Manchester do in Manchester?

When I was looking for support in Manchester and realised that there was none for male survivors of historic abuse, I knew I had to do something and make sure that whatever was created had to be ethical, professional and more than fit for purpose. I now want Survivors Manchester to be able to offer a first class service to adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened.

I would like to see Survivors Manchester work with other services in the community to get the message out there that men are suffering in silence and it doesn’t need to be that way!

Do you have a message for Greater Manchester residents?

Please open your eyes and begin to see that men can be victims too!

Sexual abuse affects us all, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, disability. We need to work together to give support to those affected, in order for them to move forward and make positive life choices.

What’s your favourite thing about Manchester?

The people!

Manchester is so diverse and communities really do come together, especially in times of need. We have so many first’s here!

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